Connector device

Abstract

A connector device for connecting two containers with first and second members slidably displaceable in regard to each other along an axis between a first and a second position is presented. The first member comprises a needle parallel to the axis so that the first container's septum is penetrated by one end of the needle when the first container is introduced into the first member. The second member comprises a coupling to the second container. The other needle end penetrates the second container's septum when the members are in the second position establishing a connection between the two containers. The first member comprises a coupling to the second container coupled to the second member. The first member can couple to the second container when the two members are in the second position and cannot couple to the second container when the two members are in the first position.

We claim: 
     
       1. A first member for a connector device, the first member comprising a cylindrical guiding structure and guiding ribs arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis on an inner wall of the guiding structure, wherein resilient structures are mounted on the guiding ribs, the resilient structures having a bent end with a holding edge and a ramp, wherein the guiding ribs are configured to provide rotational engagement such that, when a neck of a first container is introduced into a receptacle of the first member, the ramps interact with the neck, and the resilient structures are bent outwards until the holding edges grip the neck on its circumference. 
     
     
       2. The first member of  claim 1  wherein the first member comprises three guiding ribs and three resilient structures. 
     
     
       3. The first member of  claim 1  wherein the holding edges can, via the resilient structures, adapt to different diameters of the neck of the first container. 
     
     
       4. The first member of  claim 1  further comprising a radial support structure comprising a central portion and bridges. 
     
     
       5. The first member of  claim 4  wherein the resilient structures are configured to center the container in regard to the central portion and releasably couple the first member to the container. 
     
     
       6. The first member of  claim 4  wherein a transfer needle is mounted in the central portion and is aligned with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       7. The first member of  claim 6  wherein the resilient structures are configured to center the container in regard to the central portion and act as a holding means for releasably coupling the container. 
     
     
       8. The first member of  claim 1  further comprising a radial support structure comprising a central portion and bridges, and wherein a pawl comprising a resilient, flexible arm is mounted on each of the bridges. 
     
     
       9. The first member of  claim 8  wherein a transfer needle is mounted in the central portion and is aligned with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       10. The first member of  claim 8  wherein the resilient structures are configured to center the container in regard to the central portion and releasably couple the first member to the container. 
     
     
       11. A connector device for fluidly connecting two septum sealed containers, the connector device comprising the first member of  claim 1  and a second member, wherein the first member comprises a hollow transfer needle with two pointed ends, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis such that a septum of a first one of the two containers is penetrated by one end of the needle when the first container is introduced into the receptacle, and wherein the second member comprises a means for releasably coupling to a second one of the two containers. 
     
     
       12. A septum sealed container comprising the connector device of  claim 11 . 
     
     
       13. The connector device of  claim 11  wherein the two members are slidably displaceable in regard to each other along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second position, and wherein the other end of the needle does not come into contact with a septum of the second container coupled to the second member when the members are in the first position, and the other needle end penetrates the septum of the second container when the members are in the second position, thereby establishing a fluid connection between the two containers, wherein the first member comprises a means for releasably coupling to the second container that is coupled to the second member, wherein the coupling means of the first member can couple to the second container when the two members are in the second position, and cannot couple to the second container when the two members are in the first position. 
     
     
       14. A septum sealed container comprising the connector device of  claim 13  wherein the two members of the connector device are in the first position, and the second member is coupled to the container. 
     
     
       15. A method for attaching the first member of  claim 1  to a first container, comprising attaching the first member to the first container by introducing a neck of the first container into the receptacle of the first member such that the ramps interact with the bottle neck and the structures are bent outwards until the holding edges grip the neck on its circumference. 
     
     
       16. A method for attaching the connector device of  claim 11  to a first container, comprising attaching the first member to the first container by introducing a neck of the first container into the receptacle of the first member such that the ramps interact with the bottle neck and the structures are bent outwards until the holding edges grip the neck on its circumference. 
     
     
       17. A first member for a connector device, wherein the first member comprises a cylindrical guiding structure and guiding ribs arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis on an inner wall of the guiding structure; wherein resilient structures are mounted on the guiding ribs, wherein the guiding ribs are configured to interact with corresponding slots of a second member, the resilient structures having a bent end with a holding edge and a ramp, wherein the guiding ribs are configured to provide rotational engagement such that, when a neck of a first container is introduced into a receptacle of the first member, the ramps interact with the neck, and the structures are bent outwards until the holding edges grip the neck on its circumference. 
     
     
       18. A connector device comprising the first member of  claim 17  and a second member, wherein the guiding ribs of the first member are configured to interact with corresponding slots of the second member.